Expository writing is used to explain, describe, give information or inform. To write a good expository piece, you need
Fair knowledge of the topic
You cannot expect to produce something out of nothing. If you have little idea what the question is asking, or limited knowledge of the topic, obviously the question is not for you. How do you know whether you know enough to write an essay?
Planning/organization
Students are always tempted to start writing immediately when they get the question paper, because they are afraid that they cannot finish the work. However, you need to realize that planning would eventually make the writing process smoother and easier. If you cannot find enough ideas during the planning stage, it is better to choose another question. And organization is one of the most important skills needed to write a good essay.
Expository writing can come in many forms, but there are a few main categories.
Identifying the types of questions in expository writing:
Category
Description
Example
Description
Describes a topic by listing characteristics, features, and examples
What do you think are some qualities tourists like about Singapore?
Sequence
List events or items in chronological or numerical order
Recount how Singapore became an independent country
Comparison
Explains how two or more things are alike and/or how they are different.
Do you think home schooling leads to the same outcome as formal schooling?
Cause and Effect
Lists one or more causes and the resulting effect or effects
What do you think leads to teenage crime?
Problem and Solution
States a problem and then give one or more solutions
How can parents help to reduce their children’s stress in school?
Each of these questions requires its unique organization. It is important to recognize the type of question asked, so that you can structure your answer appropriately. Possible structures for each question type
Category
Example
Structure
Description
What do you think are some qualities tourists like about Singapore?
*List each quality and explain why it is attractive.
*Group related qualities together
Sequence
Recount how Singapore became an independent country
*List events one by one by timeline
Comparison
Do you think home schooling leads to the same outcome as formal schooling?
*Similarities in outcomes, and reasons for the similarities
*Differences in outcomes and reasons for the differences
*Decide whether the outcomes are more similar or different
Cause and Effect
What do you think leads to teenage crime?
*List the reasons for teenage crime
Problem and Solution
How can parents help to reduce their children’s stress in school?
*Identify problem: children have stress in school
*Solutions: list of things parents can do to help
- Fair knowledge of the topic
You cannot expect to produce something out of nothing. If you have little idea what the question is asking, or limited knowledge of the topic, obviously the question is not for you. How do you know whether you know enough to write an essay?- Planning/organization
Students are always tempted to start writing immediately when they get the question paper, because they are afraid that they cannot finish the work. However, you need to realize that planning would eventually make the writing process smoother and easier. If you cannot find enough ideas during the planning stage, it is better to choose another question. And organization is one of the most important skills needed to write a good essay.Expository writing can come in many forms, but there are a few main categories.
Identifying the types of questions in expository writing:
Each of these questions requires its unique organization. It is important to recognize the type of question asked, so that you can structure your answer appropriately.
Possible structures for each question type
*Group related qualities together
*Differences in outcomes and reasons for the differences
*Decide whether the outcomes are more similar or different
*Solutions: list of things parents can do to help
Exercise 1
Think of questions for each category: